Synthesis, characterization and processing of photo-crosslinkable hydrogels based on gelatin functionalized with norbornene groups and added with terpene oligomers

• Grant number: 24/00095-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Roniérik Pioli Vieira
• Grantee: Iago Aguiar Dias Carmo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/02728-0 - Development of films and hydrogels containing terpenes or derivative oligomers for active packaging and multifunctional medical devices applications, AP.PNGP.PI
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/14458-3 - Thiol-ene photopolymerization of gelatin- norbornene/poly(limonene) enriched with iodine, Maytenus ilicifolia, and Copaifera sp. extracts from Brazilian flora towards advanced wound dressings, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

This D.Sc. project aims to develop gelatin-based hydrogels functionalized with photo-crosslinkable groups (thiol and norbornene), enriched with terpenes and their derived oligomers. The proposal is an innovative strategy to overcome the limitations associated with the use of the terpene precursor as a bioactive component in biomedical applications. Different strategies for incorporating additives will be explored, including direct incorporation, both before and after crosslinking, and the use of emulsions containing oligomers/terpenes. The resulting hydrogels will be subjected to comprehensive characterization, encompassing physicochemical and rheological properties and cytotoxicity tests. The initial focus will be on the application of these hydrogels as wound dressings, part of the activities carried out by the scholarship holder during an internship abroad. In addition, the feasibility of processing the hydrogels using 3D printing, based on extrusion and/or high-resolution techniques (such as digital light processing - DLP) and electrospinning followed by photo-crosslinking will be assessed. It is hoped that the results of this project will not only meet the specific demands of dressings for skin lesions, but will also broaden the scope of application of terpene oligomers as stable antioxidant and antimicrobial additives. The ambition is that the results of this project will enrich the biomaterial options for the medical field, opening doors to new applications.